Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-12-28

| UleHU, 1911 some medicine, ana upon
inquiry from Mr.. Selwyn, said that,she
could be moved to some more COM
Portable quarters the next day, prom
Using to see friend of his who he
thought would take the mother and
child until John could provide q home
for them.
kissing his new found sister and
little niece, John bade them be of
good cheer for few hours more,
when he would return, and be able, he
hoped, to remove them where they
would be well provided for; then leav-
ing the house he sought his hotel to
enjoy q short season of rest.
George Hammond had been q we'll
TODD mechanic, and for several years
after marrying Mary Selwyn, peace,
happiness and plenty dwelt within
their home. George was of O. very
81 bilious turn of mind, and in great
haste to accumulate riches. He
could not bear the thought OF having
to plod along in the same old path ali
his life. Unfortunately he became
acquainted with some unprincipled
stock and claim brokers, who induced
him to invest in worthless mines, and
then followed the old, old story of
speculation-a morbid desire to in
crease his wealth, even at the expense
of health and happiness. Led on,
step by step, at times in the flush of
heavy gains, at others, finances at q
low ebb; held up by excitement, the
hope OF better success, and the Turing
CLINT of hazarded riches; caioled by
those who saw in him only weak
victim in whose loss WAS their gain,
who when the trap WAS sprung cast
him aside for other victims as foolish
as he.
The crash came and Hammond
wilted under it like flower struck by
the frost. Then came O. desperate
struggle to keep up appearances; then
despair seized him, and too proud to
seek work, he took to drinking. From
one stage to another he gradually
sank until he had but one true friend
left-his wife. From one cheap lodg-
ing to another, finally to the slum of
- Court, where Mrs. Hammond
labored with her needle to keep the
wolf from the door,
Then came sickness, and what little
good there was in George Hammond
went out with his last breath in the
stiefd atmosphere of the dingy room.
A charity funeral, after which the
wife, sick at heart, eked out g. pre-
carious livelihood for herself and lit
tie one. Only that God had directed
John Selwyn's steps that night, she,
too, would have followed her hus-
band.
Early on New Years morning, Mr..
Selwyn was astir, and after thanking
his Heavenly Father for all the mer-
cies shown him, he descended to
breakfast with light heart. Quickly
swallowing his food he started out in
quest Of the doctor, to plan with him
the removal of his sister to some COM
Portable home.
The snow which had accumulated
on the sidewalk was being removed
by an army of men and boys, the sun
was shining brightly, and the minute
particles OF snow upon the upper
crust shone forth like diamonds. The
wind, blowing from the north, was
keen and stinging, but it only thrilled
Johns young heart to exhilaration.
Fastening on, he soon reached the
DOCTORS abode, and found him at
home. After passing the compliments
OF the day, the doctor informed Mr..
Selwyn that a widow lady with but
one son had kindly engaged to nurse
and carefo the sick woman until Mr..
Selwyn could provide q home; so
without delay close carriage was
procured, and John drove to the mis-
cradle quarters whittier he Was led
the night before.
He found his sister sitting up, much
improved, and with the help or Mrs.
MCCARTHY she was bundled up in blank
cts Mr.. Selwyn had provided, and
then conveyed to the carriage In wait
ing.
After telling the hackman where to
carry his freight, Mr.. selwyn returned
to the miserable apartments just left
vacant by the only two dear ones he
had now to live and work for.
| He informed the good woman Mrs.
McOarty, that she could have the ef-
fects left by the late mistress OF the
rooms, and slipping another gold
piece into her hand he hurried out
before she could even thank him. as
she WAS about to do in her voluble
manner.
| But little more remains to be said.
Mrs. Hammond and little Mary found
a good home with the kind widow
lady, and she, during her brief stay,
came to regard her as one of her dear
est friends.
Little Mary was happy as a lark in
her new home, and it Is hard to tell
which was the happiest Of the three.
All that wealth could devise was
done for Mrs. Hammond and her
daughter by her brother who had &C.
cumulated riches and had enough to
spare.
Truly it was g. New Year day new
er to be forgotten by any of them,
and in after years Mary Hammond's
little hand visited her pocket many
times on New Years days, and at such
times it never came forth empty, as
many poor unfortunate beggar
could testify.
The Origin of Barber Poles.
From the Albany Journal.